Rolling mills feeders



March 23, 1965 F. GREUEL ROLLING MILLS FEEDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 9, 1962 IN VE N TOR March 23, 1965 F. GREUEL 3,174,320 I ROLLING MILLS FEEDERS Filed Feb. 9, 1962 a Sheets-Sheet 2 Mi l Jll 5 n l t &

IN VEN TOR United States Patent 3,174,320 ROLLING MILLS FEEDERS Fritz Greuel, Dusseldorf, Germany, assignor to Maschinenfabrik Sack G.m.b.H., Dusseldorf-Bath, Germany, a German company Filed Feb. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 172,179 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 13, 1961,

48,008 7 Claims. (Cl. 72-251) This invention relates to apparatus for aligning rectangular bars of metal in an edge-up or so called diamond position for feeding to a multiple-strip rolling mill. When the bars are being heated in the tunnel furnace prior to being rolled they lie fiat beside each other so that a feeding device must be provided for moving the bars from the furnace to the rolling mill and at the same time rotating it to bring it into the required position. A device which has been used previously for this purpose comprises a member which is rotatable about an axis extending transversely of the direction of movement of the bars and the generated surface of which is formed with guides which come into operation in sequence. The disadvantage of this device is that it cannot introduce the end of more than one bar into the rolling mill simultaneously so to use the full multistrip operation of the mill the ends of bars must be introduced while further bars are already passing through the mill. It has been found that when this is done the shock of the entry of the new bar is great enough to afiect the dimensions of the bars which are already passing through the mill very often to such an extent :as to exceed permissible tolerances.

According to the present invention such apparatus includes a number of adjacent independently rotatable guide roll pairs, the passages between each pair of which are radially offset from each other, mounted in a stand which is mounted so as to be capable of pivoting about an axis parallel to the direction of advance of the bars, the stand being linked to a mechanism for rotating it about its axis between a first position in which the passages are aligned to receive the bars, and a second position in which the passages are aligned so that bars leaving them will be in an edge-up or diamond position.

Using an apparatus of this form the ends of the batch of bars which are to be rolled simultaneously are all aligned with each other so that they enter the mill at the same time thus removing the disadvantage of the earlier apparatus. The mechanism is also much simpler and can be easily adapted to take a comparatively large number of bars.

Preferably adjacent rolls of the pairs are rotatable about a common axis and have their diameters in arithmetical progression, and one roll of each pair is a driving roll all the driving rolls being driven from a common power means and being linked to it so that they all have the same peripheral speed. The provision of the common axis and the arrangement of the diameters in arithmetical progression means that the drive transmission for all the rollers is much simpler than would be possible with any other arrangement.

Conveniently the driving rolls are mounted on a carriage pivoted to the stand supporting the freely rotatable rolls of the pairs, and the carriage is provided with means for moving it about its pivot and clamping it firmly to the stand. Such an arrangement ensures that enough pressure can be exerted on the bars as they pass through the passages to ensure that there is no slip between the bars and the rolls should the dimensions of the bars vary slightly. Prevention of slipping is important in that the ends of the bars are then kept aligned so that they enter the mill simultaneously as already explained.

A particular example of apparatus according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevation and section taken along the line III-III of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation of a guide; and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are views corresponding to FIG- URES 3 and 4 showing the components in a difierent position.

The apparatus, generally shown as 10 is disposed between a delivery aperture 11 of a tunnel furnace 12 and a first stand 13 of a rolling mill. The material which it is required to roll is present in the furnace 12 in the form of closely adjacent bars 14 of rectangular, or square, cross-section. A number of bars 16 can be ejected from the aperture 11 by means of a ram 15, and in the embodiment illustrated this number is shown as three, for feeding a three-strip rolling mill. The function of the device 10 is to move the closely adjacent bars 16 from a position in which two of their sides are horizontally disposed, apart from one another laterally and to place them on edge diamond-fashion with respect to a horizontal plane as required by the rolling mill.

A semi-cylindrical frame 18 is mounted in a frame 17 so as to be able to pivot about an axis A which extends parallel with the direction of advance of the material being rolled. A U-shaped frame 19 is mounted on the frame 18 for pivoting around a pivot 20a, and the frame 19 carries a hydraulic thrust device 249 so that it may be clamped to the frame 18. Three rolls 21 in the bottom frame 18 are freely rotatable, independently of one another, on a common spindle. The top frame 19 also carries three coaxial rolls 22, which are rotated by a motor 23, the drive therefrom being by way of a transmission which is housed in the frame 19 but not shown in detail. The diameters of the three rolls 21 difier from one another by equal increments, as do the diameters of rolls 22, so that the rolls of any pair 21, 22 bound equal passages but are radially offset from one another, the pivoting axis A extending along the centre of the passage of the central roll pair. The transmission through which the motor 23 drives the rolls 22 is devised so that they all run at the same peripheral speed. Such rotation can be imparted to these rolls by Way of, for example, a triple telescopic shaft. Examples of such conventional telescopic shafts that can be readily adapted to drive the rolls 22 at the same peripheral speed may be found in US. Patents Nos. 2,579,535, 3,012,614 and 3,092,184 and in the illustration and description of a manually operated planetarium in Knights American Mechanical Dictionary (1877) Vol. II, page 1727 (Fig. 3791). Through the agency of a crank drive 24 and connecting rod 25, the frames 18 and 19 with the roll system 21, 22 can be pivoted about the axis A from the position shown in FIGURE 3 into the position shown in FIGURE 5.

By means of guides described in more detail later and of the ram 15, three adjacent bars 16 are introduced between the rolls of the roll pairs 21, 22 when the bearing frames 18, 19 are in the position shown in FIGURE 3. The cross-sections of the bars 16 then appear to be positioned after the fashion of a staircase, since the diameters of the adjacent rolls 21 or 22 differ from one another by twice the height of a bar, while roll width substantially corresponds to bar width. Once the bars have been engaged by the rolls 21, 22, the frames 18, 19 are pivoted into the position which is shown in FIGURE 5 and in which the bars, to the extent that they are disposed between the roll pairs, are moved into the edge-up diamond postion and are horizontally aligned.

Before the frames 18, 19 are pivoted, the thrust device 20 is operated so that all the hot bars, notwithstanding any ditferencesin their dimensions, are clamped firmly, between the rolls.

Preceding theroll system 21, 22 is a guide trough 26 secured to the frame 18 to pivot with it. As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the trough 26 comprises three tracks 27 of different inclinations and therefore each track deflects-the entering end-of one of the'bars 16 so that it enters one of the three passagesbetween the roll pairs 21, 22 when these are in the position shown inFIGURE 3. Before entering the trough 26 the bars pass overta horizontal surface 28 and between two jaws 30 which are pivotable at 29 and which can be operated by hydraulic drives 31. The jaws 30 serve to keep the ends of the bars 16 in bearing engagement with one another and are re-openedbefore the frames 18,: 19 are pivoted.

In the postion shown in FIGURE 5, the issuing bars are already in the position which they must have for entry into the first stand 13 of the rolling mill, apart from their distance from one another. This distanceis increased as required by a guide member 32 which, like the trough 26, is secured to the frame 18 and pivots therewith.

The guide member 32'hasthree divergingehannels 33; and from these the bars 'pass intostraight pivoting guide troughs 34 through which they pass to the entry funnels 35 of the stand 13.

The embodiment illustrated is for rolling bars of square cross-section but the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and-the radial and axial spacings between the rolls 21, 22 and the angle through which the frames 18,, 19 are pivoted car readily be such as are required for, the multiple-strip rolling of bars having a rectangular cross'section other than square.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for aligning a plurality of rectangular metal bars and feedingthe same to a multiple strip rolling mill comprising a fixed base member, a standcarried by said base member and pivotable thereon about an axis parallel to the direction of feed of the bars, a plurality of guide roll pairs mounted adjacent to each other on said stand, the rolls of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the metal bars, the space between respective rolls of said roll pairs being radially offset from each other, and said roll pairs being independently rotatable at the same peripheral speed, means for feeding the plurality of rectangular bars simultaneously at the same speed through the respective spaces between the rolls of said roll pairs toward a strip rolling mill, and means operatively connected to. said stand for pivoting said stand about said axisbetween a vertical position in which the rolls of said rollpairs respectively are aligned in a vertical plane so that two opposite sides of therectangular bars received in the respective spaces arehorizontally disposed, and an inclined position in which the rolls of said roll pairs are aligned .at an angle with respect to said vertical plane so that the bars are disposed on edge with respect to a horizontal plane,

2. An apparatus for aligning a plurality ofrectangular metal bars and feedingthe same to a multiple strip rollingmill comprising. a fixed base member, a stand carried by said base member and pivotable thereon about an axis parallel to the direction of feedlot the bars, a plurality of guide roll pairs mounted adjacent toeach other on said stand, the rolls of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the metal bars,lthe space between respective rolls of said roll pairs being radially offset fromeach other, and said roll pairs being independently rotatable at the same peripheral speed, means for rota? tably driving at least one roll, of each of said roll pairs for feeding the plurality of rectangular bars simultane ously at the same speed through the respective spaces between the rolls of said roll pairs toward a strip rolling mill, and means operatively connected to said stand for pivoting said stand about said axis between a vertical position in which the rolls of said roll pairs respectively are aligned in a .vertical plane so that two opposite sides of the rectangular bars recieved in the respective spaces are horizontally disposed, and an inclined' position in which the rolls of said roll pairs are aligned at an angle with respect to said vertical plane so that the bars are disposed on edge with respect to a horizontal plane.

3. An apparatus for aligning a plurality of rectangular metal bars and feeding the same to a multiple strip rolling mill comprising a fixed ,base member, a stand carried by said base member and pivotablethereon about an axis parallel to the-direction of feedof the bars, a plurality of guideroll pairs mounted adjacent toeach other on said stand, thetrollsof each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the metal bars, the space between respective rolls of said roll pairs being radially oifset from each other, and said roll pairs being independently rotatable atthe same peripheral speed, ramming means engaging the trailing end of a plurality of rectangular bars for slidingly ramming the plurality of rectangular bars simultaneously at the same speed through the respective spaces between the rolls of said roll pairs toward a strip rolling mill, and means operatively connected to said stand for pivoting said stand about said axis between a vertical position in which the rolls of said roll pairs. respectively are aligned in a vertical plane so that two opposite sides of the rectan: gular barsreceived in the respective spaces are horizon-, tally disposed, and an inclined position in which the rolls of said roll pairsare aligned at an angle with respect to said vertical plane so that the bars are disposed on edge with respect to a horizontal plane.

4. An apparatus .for aligning a plurality of rectangular metal bars and feeding the same to a multiple strip rolling mill comprising a fixed base member, a stand carried by said base member and .pivotable thereon about an axis parallel to the direction of feed of the bars, a plurality of guide roll pairs mounted adjacent to each other on said stand, the .rolls of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the metal bars, the space between respective rolls of said roll pairs being radially offset from each other, and said roll pairs being independently rotatable at the same peripheral speed, a roll of one roll pair being arranged rotatably coaxial with and adjacent to a roll of each of the other roll/pairs in ascending stepwise formation and the other roll of said one roll pair being arranged rotatably coaxial with and adja-.' cent to the other roll of each of said other roll pairs in descending stepwise formation, means for feeding the plurality of rectangular bars simultaneously at the same speed through the respective spaces between the rolls of said roll pairs toward a strip rolling mill, and means operatively connected to said stand for pivoting said stand about said axis between a vertical position in which the rolls of said roll pairs respectively are aligned in a vertical plane so that two opposite sides of the rectangular bars received in the respective spaces are horizontally disposed, and an inclined position in which the rolls of said roll pairsxare aligned at an angle with respect to said vertical plane so that the bars are disposed on edge with respect to a horizontal plane. A

5. An. apparatus for aligning a plurality of rectangular metal bars andfeeding the same to a multiple strip rolling mill comprising a fixed base member, a stand carried by saidbase member and pivotable thereon about an axis parallel to the direction of feedof the bars, a plurality of guide roll pairs mounted adjacent to each other on said stand, 'the'rolls of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the metal bars, the space he tween respective rolls of said roll pairs being radially ofiset from each other, and said roll pairs being independently rotatable at the same peripheral speed, transmission means connected to one roll of each of said roll pairs, and a common power means connected to said transmission means for independently driving said one roll of each of said roll pairs for feeding the plurality of rectangular bars simultaneously at the same speed through the respective spaces between the rolls of said roll pairs toward a strip rolling mill, and means operatively connected to said stand for pivoting said stand about said axis between a vertical position in which the rolls of said roll pairs respectively are aligned in a vertical plane so that two opposite sides of the rectangular bars received in the respective spaces are horizontally disposed, and an inclined position in which the rolls of said roll pairs are aligned at an angle with respect to said vertical plane so that the bars are disposed on edge with respect to a horizontal plane.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the other roll of each of said roll pairs is freely rotatable, said other rolls of said roll pairs being coaxially mounted directly on said stand, said one rolls of said roll pairs being coaxially mounted on a carriage pivotally attached to said stand, and means for turning said carriage about its pivot and clamping it to said stand.

7. An apparatus for aligning a plurality of rectangular metal bars and feeding the same to a multiple strip rolling mill comprising a fixed base member, a stand carried by said base member and pivotable thereon about an axis parallel to the direction of feed of the bars, a plurality of guide roll pairs mounted adjacent to each other on said stand, the rolls of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of one of the metal bars, the space between respective rolls of said roll pairs being radially oflset from each other, and said roll pairs being independently rotatable at the same peripheral speed, means for feeding the plurality of rectangular bars simultaneously at the sarne speed through the respective spaces between the rolls of said roll pairs toward a strip rolling mill, guide surface means fixed to said stand behind said guide roll pairs for guiding the metal bars into positions laterally spaced from each other, and means operatively connected to said stand for pivoting said stand and said guide surface means about said axis between a vertical position in which the rolls of said roll pairs respectively are aligned in a vertical plane so that two opposite sides of the rectangular bars received in the respective spaces are horizontally disposed, and an inclined position in which the rolls of said roll pairs are aligned at an angle with respect to said vertical plane so that the bars are disposed on edge with respect to a horizontal plane.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,340,129 5/20 Williams 80-53 1,866,675 7/32 Sarazin 226168 2,638,132 5/53 Guess 226-7457 2,666,534 1/54 Pietsch 8053 FOREIGN PATENTS 571,583 3/33 Germany. 1,130,631 10/56 France.

WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner.

LEON PEAR, Examiner, 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING A PLURALITY OF RECTANGULAR METAL BARS AND FEEDING THE SAME TO A MULTIPLE STRIP ROLLING MILL COMPRISING A FIXED BASE MEMBER, A STAND CARRIED BY SAID BASE MEMBER AND PIVOTABLE THEREON ABOUT AN AXIS PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF FEED OF THE BARS, A PLURALITY OF GUIDE ROLL PAIRS MOUNTED ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER ON SAID STAND, THE ROLLS OF EACH PAIR BEING SPACED APART A DISTANCE CORRESPONDING SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE THICKNESS OF ONE OF THE METAL BARS, THE SPACE BETWEEN RESPECTIVE ROLLS OF SAID ROLL PAIRS BEING RADIALLY OFFSET FROM EACH OTHER, AND SAID ROLL PAIRS BEING INDEPENDENTLY ROTATABLE AT THE SAME PERIPHERAL SPEED, MEANS FOR FEEDING THE PLURALITY OF RECTANGULAR BARS SIMULTANEOUSLY AT THE SAME SPEED THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE SPACES BETWEEN THE ROLLS OF SAID ROLL PAIRS TOWARD A STRIP ROLLING MILL, AND MEANS 